'Sailbot' could make history, say UBC engineering students

Students plan to launch first automated transatlantic crossing in August

A team of UBC engineering students is hoping to make history this August by sailing a 5.5 metre robotic sailboat across the Atlantic Ocean. The sailbot seen here is an earlier smaller model used in the student team's international regatta competitions. (UBC Sailbot)

Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean by wind power alone is an impressive achievement by any standard.

But contending with the unpredictable weather, busy freight traffic, meddlesome fishing nets and treacherous icebergs without anyone in the pilot's seat is another feat entirely.

This summer, a team of engineering students from the University of British Columbia is hoping its 5.5-metre-long boat will sail into the history books as the first seafaring vessel to successfully traverse the Atlantic entirely solo.

"It's been tried many times but never actually successfully," said KristofferVik Hansen, co-captain of the 66-person UBC robotic sailboat — or Sailbot — team.

"Basically we're trying to make a big, big sailboat, make it autonomous and sail it across the Atlantic Ocean."

Launch planned for August

Come August, the crew plans to launch the still un-christened sailbot off the coast of St. John's, N.L., and hope the vessel survives the 2,900-kilometre, three-week journey to Dingle, Ireland.

UBC's sailbot plans to launch in August and sail 2,900 km across the Atlantic Ocean all on its own. The sailbot seen here is an earlier smaller model used in the student team's international regatta competitions. (UBC Sailbot)

Hanging above the bustling workplace are the smooth, water-worn hulls and logo-covered sails of the team's previous competition champions.

"Sailing has been around for thousands of years. Robotics has not been around for that many years," he added. "It's kind of the intersection of two very different disciplines."

While the university's sailbot team has officially existed since 2006, its most recent project has been in the works only since 2012, following three successive first-place finishes in international sailbot regattas.

Powered by wind and sun

To complete the journey the sailbot will use solar panels to power a slew of onboard navigation and obstacle-avoidance technology, including thermal imaging to sense boat traffic and icebergs, as well as GPS co-ordinates to steer around inclement weather and fishing zones.

Vik Hansen described the project as an interdisciplinary venture, combining mechanical, electrical and software engineering expertise to overcome the unique challenges posed by trans-ocean travel.

"The uniqueness comes in how we're basically melting together the different parts of engineering," said the fifth year integrated engineering student, originally from Norway. "That's where we're unique."

UBC's sailbot team has won three successive first place finished in international sailbot regattas with smaller models such as this one. (UBC Sailbot)

A number of university and corporate sponsors are underwriting the $60,000 project. The total cost is now expected to come in slightly above that figure in order to allow the team to install on-board backups that will safeguard against any systems failing partway through the voyage.

Still, the need to consider every possible scenario in a real-life situation is part of the project's appeal, said Vik Hansen.

"It's not some kind of lab where everything's tip-top shape," he said. "You're working with real nature; you're sailing on the ocean."

Vik Hansen said there is little demand for automated sailboats in real-world applications. However, the team's route-finding programs that take into account and respond to factors such as weather patterns and trade routes could hold commercial value for modern-day ships.

As for this summer's trans-Atlantic challenge, once the boat launches the team is not permitted to interfere with its journey. That won't stop them from travelling overseas to celebrate the sailbot's anticipated success.

"When we go over to Ireland and we're out there, waiting for it to come towards us, and we see it coming towards the finish line, that's going to be the moment," said Vik Hansen, smiling broadly.

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Note: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are moderated and published according to our submission guidelines.